Assuming Manti Te'o falls, do the Texans bite?

I can be quoted saying, just as soon as yesterday, that Teo would be a great pick for the Texans. I even suggested them maybe moving up to snag him.

I have no problem admitting that that was one of the dumbest things that I've ever suggested.

 

He's still projected to go #1 in the fantasy draft.

 

There is no way you draft a player in the first round that isn't an every down position

 

He didn't rob a bank or a person, never burglarized a dorm, didn't steal laptops like Royce white.

He's not a felon.


He can ball. I'll admit, I haven't watched any notre dame games.

 

Yeah, this is the real core of their ILB dilemma.

If Cushing is back, really back (and the ACL surgery was early enough that he could be at OTAs)....he routinely becomes your one-man ILB in Wade's scheme (5 on the line, 5 DB zone).

But if you don't know if Cushing will be himself again (knee blowouts always make this a question), you have to do something substantial. Almost everyone we threw out there was C or D quality and none could play alone like he could, throwing off Wade's scheme badly. Plus, everyone is a FA but Sharpton, and he may get cut with his constant injuries.

I think they take someone, but I agree that it probably won't be with their first rounder.

They could have more pressing issues up front if Smith and Cody need to be replaced.

As far as Te'o himself...he's become such a gamble. Between the way he got clowned in the title game, the weaker competition in general, and now this ridiculous hoax (which will follow him the rest of his career)...dude will need to be unbelievable at the combine.

We've also got to consider Wade's scheme again - what he wants from his ILB isn't immediately translatable for all MLBs. You've got to have serious range and be able to cover. This isn't a 4-3 MLB that simply plugs the middle run game and lets the OLBs take the flats.

The guy I'd do a backflip over? Johnathan Jenkins.

 

No, didn't want him before the scandal. He's basically Bradie James, he might have some coverage skills, I'm not certain though, didn't see it when I watched.

 

For me, the best idea would be to move Reed to the other ILB spot. I think it suits him better. Then you draft an OLB opposite Mercilus. That way, if Cushing isn't fully back, I think Reed can handle it if he spent more time preparing for the position

 

That's evident, because he's been exposed as having no discernible cover skills, and he has a propensity for alligator arms. If we are CERTAIN to be going ILB in the first round, then Kevin Minter or Alec Ogletree are the picks you make.

 

Empty calories.

 

I'm not equipped to answer this - but I don't know if that's a move Brooks Reed is suited to make. He's transitioned well from 4-3 right end to strong OLB, but I don't know if he's capable of going all the way back and inside in the span of a single offseason.

Plus, move him over and you're forced to find a new starter at SOLB. Personally, I'd rather leave him opposite Mercilus and pencil in Cushing and James for now with the goal of drafting a new starting Will.

 

Brooks Reed is NOT like Cushing. Reed was a DE in College, not a LB like Cushing. Reed is NOT an inside LB.

 

Te'o is good, but I'd much rather have Kevin Minter

I watched almost every LSU game and I always said Minter looks more like a 3-4 ILB than a 4-3 MLB, dude is a tackle machine, pretty good athlete and has good range. Also he played in the SEC against superior competition(had good games against TAMU, Bama, Florida, and South Carolina)

I'd also take a look at safeties Vaccaro from Texas and Eric Reid from LSU if Quin isn't retained.

 

But he might have some serious mental issues like Royce White.

I'm also concerned about how incredibly poorly he played in the national championship game. It was like he just had an off night. They should have benched him. He was slow and way way off his game. Something was wrong with him and it's a little more clear what that might have been.

 

No...and it has nothing to do with the whole "girlfriend" scandal.

 

Yes, he looked so good against Alabama....Give me Minter or Ogletree any day of the week over him.

 

Does he even know how to tackle? What a joke. Bust all over him. Minter would be ideal.

 

He probably had a lot on his mind since he knew this was about to leak.

 

Bull#@$!. It's the National Championship game. It shouldn't affect your ability (in this case inability) to tackle and wrap up.

 

I thought the same but Seahawks seem to hit it with Irving, and most thought that guy was the biggest reach of the first night. Aldon Smith too had a great rookie season as only a passing down player.